Device and procedure for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle

ABSTRACT

The device for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle comprises at least one shock-absorber element ( 2 ) with first means ( 3 ) for connection to the frame ( 4 ) of said bicycle and second means ( 5 ) for connecting to the saddle ( 6 ) thereof. The shock-absorber element ( 2 ) comprises at least one first and one second rod-shaped element ( 7, 8 ) with the first ends facing towards the frame ( 4 ) rigidly fixed to the first connection means ( 3 ) for locking them inside the saddle post ( 9 ) of the frame and the second ends facing the saddle rotatably hinged with the second connection means. The procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle consists of rotate-translating the saddle of the bicycle during the shock and/or vibration acting on its frame keeping the saddle parallel but set bank with respect to it rest position so as to keep its distance from the pedals of the bicycle substantially unchanged.

The present finding refers to a device and procedure for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle.

As is known, in a bicycle the height and the back setting of the saddle are values which are strictly related to each other, to the extent that the modification of one determines a variation of the other.

The height of the saddle is the distance between the centre of central movement and the anatomic centre of the saddle which is situated 12 centimetres from the rear part of the saddle.

The back setting of the saddle consists of the distance between the vertical starting from the centre of central movement and the saddle.

Such a distance is normally measured with respect to the anatomic centre of the saddle (conventionally 12 cm from the rear part).

As already pointed out, therefore, these two parameters are strictly correlated: by raising the saddle there is also an increase in the back setting (which can be measured at about 3 millimetres on frames with the shaft at 73° and at about 2.5 millimetres on frames with the shaft at 75°); by lowering the saddle there is a reduction in the back setting (values equal to the previous ones, but negative); by reducing the back setting there is a decrease in the saddle height (about 2.5 millimetres each centimetre displacement forward); by increasing the back setting of the saddle there is an increase in the saddle height (about 2.5 millimetres each centimetre displacement backward).

According to such a strict connection between these two parameters, there can be saddle positions with equal height values but with different back settings, or equal back settings with different heights.

Due to the above, the height and back setting of the saddle must be such as to allow the legs to maximise their drive and recovery potential on the pedal and must allow an effective and synergic intervention of all of the leg muscles.

It is also known to use absorbing devices on a bicycle which can be subdivided into two main groups.

The first group concerns shock-absorber devices realised as part of the production of the bicycle.

Amongst these devices there are, for example, shock-absorbers defined by front and/or rear forks which are telescopic or oscillating.

On the other hand, the second group includes accessory shock-absorber devices, i.e. those devices which can sometimes be applied on a bicycle which has already been finished to improve its performance.

Amongst these devices there are those using springs applied onto the saddle or handlebar post.

As is easy to understand, the first group of devices is fixed to the bicycle with which it is realised, limiting the user's freedom of choice.

Moreover, both devices of the first and second group are heavy, a think which is unthinkable for a cyclist, complex and expensive.

Besides these drawbacks which are already harmful in themselves, it should be highlighted that, above all in the case of shock-absorber devices for the saddle which determine a displacement thereof along the axis of the post, the saddle frequently moves towards and away from the centre of central movement, with all of the drawbacks described above which are unacceptable for any cyclist.

The technical task proposed by the present invention is, therefore, that of realising a device and procedure for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be eliminated.

In this technical task a purpose of the invention is that of realising a device which takes up little space and which is not very heavy.

Another purpose of the invention is that of realising a device which does not substantially alter the distance of the saddle from the centre of central movement of the bicycle.

A further purpose of the invention is that of realising a device the degree of absorbency of which can quickly and simply be adjusted according to the cycling requirements.

The last but not least purpose of the invention is that of realising a device which is substantially cost-effective.

The technical task, as well as these and other purposes, according to the present invention are achieve by realising a device for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle, comprising at least one shock-absorber element with first means for connection to the frame of said bicycle and second means for connecting to the saddle thereof, characterised in that said at least one shock-absorber element comprises at least one first and one second rod-shaped element with the first ends facing towards said frame rigidly fixed to said first connection means for locking them inside the saddle post of said frame and the second ends facing said saddle rotatably hinged with said second connection means.

The present finding also refers to a procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle, characterised in that it consists of rotate-translating the saddle of said bicycle during the shock and/or vibration acting on its frame keeping said saddle parallel but set back with respect to it rest position so as to keep its distance from the pedals of said bicycle substantially unchanged.

Other characteristics of the present invention are, moreover, defined in the other claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device and procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle according to the finding, where the device is illustrated for indicating and not limiting purposes in the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a device according to the finding;

FIG. 2 shows a view of the device of FIG. 1 assembled and aligned with the saddle post of a bicycle;

FIG. 3 shows a view of the device of FIG. 1 assembled and inserted into the saddle post of the bicycle;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the device connected to a bicycle frame; and

FIG. 5 shows a section view of the device realised at the saddle post of the bicycle.

With reference to the quoted figures, a device for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle is shown, wholly indicated with reference numeral 1.

The device 1 comprises a shock-absorber element 2 with first means 3 for connecting to the frame 4 of said bicycle and second means 5 for connecting to the saddle 6 thereof.

The shock-absorber element 2 comprises at least one first and one second rod-shaped element 7, 8 which have the first ends facing towards the frame 4 rigidly fixed to the first connection means 3 to lock them inside the saddle post 9 of the frame, and the second ends facing the saddle 6 rotatably hinged with said second connection means 5.

Advantageously, moreover, the first and second rod-shaped elements 7, 8 are tilted with respect to the vertical.

In this way the rods are subjected to bending stress in one direction by loads which are substantially vertical (due, for example, to the weight of the user of the bicycle) so as to absorb the shocks and vibrations which occur during the use of the bicycle.

In particular, as shown in the attached figures, the first ends lie on a plane 10 substantially tilted and perpendicular to the axis of the post 9 and the second ends lie on a plane 11 which is substantially horizontal and tilted with respect to the axis of the post 9 and parallel to the seating surface of the saddle 6.

Preferably, the second rod-shaped element 8 extends between the first connection means 3 and the second connection means 5 for a greater length with respect to the second rod-shaped element 7.

In this way, the saddle preferably undergoes a displacement towards the rear part of the bicycle remaining substantially parallel to itself and, moreover, moving away from the axis of the post but keeping the distance from the centre of central movement of the bicycle unchanged.

Advantageously, the first and second rod-shaped elements 7, 8 are made from composite material and have a predetermined degree of flexibility which are equal to each other.

In particular, the first and second rod-shaped element 7, 8 are made from resin and organic and/or inorganic fibre.

In particular, the fibre can, for example, be carbon fibre and/or glass fibre and/or natural fibre and/or basalt fibre and/or aramidic fibre.

Advantageously, the resin is a thermoplastic resin and the first and second rod-shaped elements 7, 8 are realised through a pultrusion process.

Moreover, as shown in the attached figures, the first and second rod-shaped elements 7, 8 have a configuration with in section a flat face 12 and a semicircular face 13.

The first connection means 3 comprises a quadrangular plate 15 having its side surfaces 16 with a curvilinear extension suitable for fitting with the semicircular faces 13 of the first and second rod-shaped elements 7, 8 to realise with them a surface with a configuration matching that inside the post 9.

The plate 15 has a different length to vary the degree of flexibility of the first and second rod-shaped elements 7, 8. Moreover, the displacement of the plate 15 allows the degree of elasticity of the rod-shaped elements and, consequently, the amount of shock-absorbency which one wishes to have to be varied.

Preferably, moreover, the plate 15 has weight-reducing holes 17 and side notches 18 to be positioned at corresponding notches 19 present at least on the first and second rod-shaped element 7, 8.

Such notches 18, 19 indicate the degree of flexibility according to the height and weight of the cyclist.

The second means 5 has first attachment members 20 to the saddle 6 and second attachment members 21 suitable for allowing rotate-translation of the saddle 6 during the flexing of the first and second rod-shaped element 7, 8.

The present finding also refers to a procedure for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle.

The procedure consists of rotate-translating the saddle of the bicycle by flexing of its support during the shock and/or vibration acting upon the frame keeping the saddle parallel but set back with respect to its rest position, so as to keep its distance from the pedals of the bicycle substantially unchanged.

In practice, it has been noted how the device and procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle according to the invention are particularly advantageous, because they are particularly compact and light and, moreover, since they allow the saddle to be moved parallel to itself following shocks or vibrations, keeping the distance of the saddle from the pedals of the bicycle substantially unchanged.

Moreover, it should also be specified that the first and second rod-shaped elements can have a curvilinear extension. This eases the flexing of the two elements and the search for a comfortable position of the saddle.

Indeed, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the saddle to suit preferences without the presence of further members, but just making one rod-shaped element slide with respect to the other.

Between the first and second rod-shaped element there can also be an elastomeric core which cooperates to optimise the amount of flexing.

The device and procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle thus conceived are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all covered by the inventive concept. Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to requirements and the state of the art. 

1. Device for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle, comprising at least one shock-absorber element with first means for connection to the frame of said bicycle and second means for connecting to the saddle thereof, characterised in that said at least one shock-absorber element comprises at least one first and one second rod-shaped element with the first ends facing towards said frame rigidly fixed to said first connection means for locking them inside the saddle post of said frame and the second ends facing said saddle rotatably hinged with said second connection means.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and said second rod-shaped elements are tilted with respect to the vertical.
 3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first ends lie on a plane which is substantially tilted and perpendicular to the axis of said post and said second ends lie on a plane which is substantially horizontal and tilted with respect to the axis of said post and parallel to the seating surface of said saddle.
 4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said second rod-shaped element extends between said first connection means and said second connection means for a greater length with respect to said first rod-shaped element.
 5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second rod-shaped elements are made from composite material and have a predetermined degree of flexibility which are equal to each other.
 6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second rod-shaped elements are made from resin and organic and/or inorganic fibre.
 7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second rod-shaped elements are made from resin and fibreglass and/or carbon fibre.
 8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said resin is a thermoplastic resin.
 9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second rod-shaped elements are realised through a pultrusion process.
 10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second rod-shaped elements have a configuration with in section a flat face and a semicircular face.
 11. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first connection means comprises a quadrangular plate with its side surfaces having a curvilinear extension suitable for fitting with said semicircular faces of said first and second rod-shaped elements to realise with them a surface with a configuration matching that inside said post.
 12. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said plate has a different length to vary said degree of flexibility of said first and second rod-shaped elements.
 13. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said plate has weight-reducing holes and side notches to be positioned at corresponding notches present on at least one of said first and second rod-shaped elements, said notches indicating the degree of flexibility according to the height and weight of the cyclist.
 14. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said second means has first attachment members to said saddle and second attachment members suitable for allowing a rotate-translation of said saddle during the flexing of said first and second rod-shaped elements.
 15. Procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle, characterised in that it consists of rotate-translating the saddle of said bicycle during the shock and/or vibration acting on its frame keeping said saddle parallel but set back with respect to it rest position so as to keep its distance from the pedals of said bicycle substantially unchanged.
 16. (canceled) 